Alex Rodriguez was the only player who didn't accept his suspension. / Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USATODAY

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USATODAY

Alex Rodriguez's reaction to arbitrator Fredric Horowitz's decision to uphold 162 games of his original 211-game suspension came as no surprise. A-Rod had telegraphed his intention to pursue the case in federal court the day he theatrically stormed out of an arbitration hearing and immediately issued a statement calling the proceedings "a farce.''

He stuck to that defiant stance after Horowitz determined today that Rodriguez should be banned for all of the 2014 season and postseason, keeping intact much of the suspension MLB had handed the New York Yankees third baseman for his involvement in the Biogenesis case and for his efforts in obstructing the investigation.

"I have been clear that I did not use performance enhancing substances as alleged in the notice of discipline, or violate the Basic Agreement or the Joint Drug Agreement in any manner, and in order to prove it I will take this fight to federal court,'' Rodriguez said in a statement.

"I am confident that when a Federal Judge reviews the entirety of the record, the hearsay testimony of a criminal whose own records demonstrate that he dealt drugs to minors, and the lack of credible evidence put forth by MLB, that the judge will find that the panel blatantly disregarded the law and facts, and will overturn the suspension.''

That's where the delusion may be coming in.

Legal experts have voiced serious doubts about Rodriguez's chances in federal court because arbitration has been established as a valid and binding process, and the standard to challenge it is very high. The party challenging the ruling would have to prove the arbitrator was biased, corrupt ‚?? as in bribed ‚?? or showed "manifest disregard'' for the law and the facts.

"I just don't see that happening,'' said Joseph Farelli, a partner in the New York law firm of Pitta & Giblin who has practiced labor law for 19 years. "If I was a betting man, I'd bet my kid's college tuition that's not going to happen.''

Farelli said Horwitz is known in the legal community as a fair-minded, "middle-of-the-road'' arbitrator.

Rodriguez's other grounds would be to prove the decision was "irrational'' or that Horwitz refused to hear his case and didn't afford him due process.

"I don't think he's got a snowball's chance in hell of overturning this award. And if you ask any union lawyer, they'd tell you the same thing,'' Farelli said. "I've been practicing almost 20 years now, and I've never had an award overturned.''

Rodriguez did save about $8.5 million by having his suspension shortened by 49 games, but in taking his case to federal court, he would continue to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees in what is now a solitary pursuit.

The MLB Players Association, which dutifully supported Rodriguez through the grievance process, effectively washed its hands of the case after the ruling was announced.

"The MLBPA strongly disagrees with the award issued today in the grievance of Alex Rodriguez, even despite the Arbitration Panel's decision to reduce the duration of Mr. Rodriguez's unprecedented 211-game suspension,'' the MLBPA said in a statement. "We recognize that a final and binding decision has been reached, however, and we respect the collectively bargained arbitration process which led to the decision.''

In other words, now you're on your own, pal.

The arbitrator's decision also may have thrown the final shovel of dirt into Rodriguez's Hall of Fame aspirations.

A-Rod's previous admission of having used performance-enhancing drugs, along with the extensive paper trail in the Biogenesis case, were probably enough to bury his chances, especially in light of the voters' repudiation of steroid suspects in the latest Hall balloting.

Official confirmation of his steroids links further damages his cause. Plus, if the case were to reach court and the judge didn't seal the file, the unveiling of evidence against him could turn whatever supporters A-Rod still has against him.

But Rodriguez seems determined to continue his crusade, whether out of delusion or as a long-shot attempt to clear his name.

David Johnson, CEO of the public relations and marketing firm Strategic Vision, said the only way Rodriguez can restore his image would be by getting fully exonerated in court. His chances of regaining his status as an A-list celebrity are nil after what Johnson called "a final fall from grace.''

"What A-Rod at least had going for him is his persona,'' Johnson said. "Now that's shattered, and what you have now is basically a public disgrace, found guilty, and he's not an elite player anymore.''